We did Bayern a huge favour btw.
Their squad was looking pretty crap this year. and it only got worse when their star target Sane got that season long injury. If they can get Coutinho on form it would be a huge boost to them, even to salvage this season only. Which will definitely be the case because there is no way they will actually buy him.
The Bavarians definitely owe us one.
You did not - the huge favour. Our bosses are in a similar position than your bosses are. They waited on Sane the whole summer and now try to sell Coutinho to the Bayern fans and the media in the same way your bosses tried that. As the superstar that he is not. It was a similar story like 2 years ago when they did not get the wingers we needed but loaned James (who was very helpful as a Thiago substitute in the first year but not as much as a ten in the second).
Our offense since years functions best when we play with Lewy+Müller+2 winger. In the last 2 seasons - even if Lewy is the main output - we scored 0.8 goals less every 90 minutes when Müller was not on the pitch. I think it is system related to a system in which you have high ball position and two prominent wings. We do not have the vertical speed teams can have with less ball possession (and as a top dog the opponent does not want the ball), since Pep we do not have the passing speed and positioning either - and therefore you need the creativity with room and without the ball and the second man in the box to help the striker and the variability in player positions that Müller brings in as much as you need the creativity with the ball behind that and the dribblers on the wings.
Now with the whole theatre around be it media or club Coutinho has to start. We give up a player that makes our striker to function and usually has a double figure of goals and assists - numbers Coutinho only had during his best time at Klopp. And who organisates the pressing and has a very high workrate. Yes, he does not do flics and tricks and usually does not shoot worldies from 20 metres outside of the box.
If it is not Müller who is the victim - it will be Coman, Goretzka, Tolisso and Sanches.
We actually would have needed a six that is more of an Alonso type to be able to shift Thiago to the 8 more often.